Gadsby set for emotional Menangle farewell

Smoken Up - "The People's Champ" Smoken Up and trainer-driver Lance Justice.

As a part owner of the dual Miracle Mile winner Smoken Up, Peter Gadsby has enjoyed some tremendous highs in the sport of harness racing. However when Smoken Up races at Tabcorp Park Menangle for the final time this Saturday night, Gadsby acknowledges it is going to be difficult to comprehend.

"I've lived at Menangle for nearly 30 years and to own a horse that has brought people such great pleasure especially just over the road at the track is something that is very special to me," Gadsby said.

"Menangle has been such a happy hunting ground for Lance and Trigger and it is going to be a shame to think that we won't get the opportunity to see Smoken Up here in Sydney again."

Gadsby believes the reason Smoken Up races so well in Sydney is because of the spacious surrounds.

"It is no secret that he has struggled to get around some corners but here at Menangle it is totally different, the bends and the camber aren't an issue and he just loves to power down the big long straights."

Smoken Up has won a number of feature races over the mile at Menangle but the one that sits above the rest for Gadsby is the Len Smith Mile victory in 2011 when the son of Tinted Cloud recorded his track record of 1:48.5.

"That night was pretty special for everyone and the number of calls I received afterwards was unbelievable, people had never seen anything like it before."

"He's still working well according to Lance and is still keen to be a racehorse but time doesn't wait for anyone or anything and for him to still be competing against top opposition at eleven is a credit to the entire stable."

Smoken Up will compete in race seven on Saturday night, the Sew Eurodrive Pace which is scheduled to begin at 8:22 and will start from barrier eight.